A CURE FOR CANCER

Cancer is one of the leading killers in our world today. What would happen if a researcher locked away in a lab somewhere found the cure? What if there was a pill that could eradicate a tumor within a week of a doctor identifying a malignant lump inside someone? Some of you may be thinking, “That researcher would be rich!” Indeed.

Perhaps the researcher, and the company for whom she worked, would be rich because there is no telling how much money would be paid for these prized pills. When it comes to cancer no amount of money is too much when it means curing that disease.

But what if a researcher did in fact find a cure, but the pills which were sure to destroy the tumor were simply not available? What if the health care industry had to continue with chemotherapy, radiation, treatment, surgery, and for those who succumb to the disease – hospice? While the pill may be expensive all of these things would surely cost much more.

We would think, “Just cure it, stop treating it.” Sounds simple. In some ways it is.

While this scenario around cancer may sound trivial, the reality is that – give or take a detail or two – this is almost the same exact scenario that exists in our world about malaria. Malaria claims some 900,000 lives every year. Most of those who die are children. But malaria can be prevented, treated, and cured.

Yet for the nations that make up the continent of Africa they are still spending up to $12 Billion per year on malaria, and for many African households 25% of their income is spent on malaria.

Most people are not aware of how malaria continues to be a leading killer in our world, but it does not have to stay this way. This Sunday, April 25, 2010 is World Malaria Day. Churches throughout Denver will be observing this day, and we will be launching a city wide campaign to be a part of delivering bed nets to those who suffer most.

Stay tuned for more. As it turns out 2010 is not going to be a good year for malaria.